Introduction: Research suggests that the prevalence of depressive disorder is increasing globally in the general population, but it is unclear if this holds true for the working population. We analysed e trends in the prevalence of depressive disorder in four nationwide, weighted samples of the Danish working population from 2012 to 2018.

Methods: We used data from the Work Environment and Health in Denmark study, which is a series of nationwide cross-sectional surveys on working conditions and health conducted in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 (N = 76,770). We used a Major Depression Inventory score ≥ 21 to indicate a depressive disorder and further ICD-10 and DSM-IV algorithms in supplementary analyses. We calculated weighted prevalence, change in prevalence, and estimated average Annual Percent Change (APC).

Results: The point-prevalence of depressive disorder was 7.2 % (95 % CI: 7.2; 7.3) in the 2012-survey and 11.2 % (11.1; 11.2) in 2018, yielding a total relative increase in prevalence over the six-year period of 54.0 % (53.6; 55.8) and an APC of 6.7 (95 % CI: 2.3; 11.4). We observed the higher prevalence in both men and women, in all age and educational groups, and in different occupational positions. Women, young individuals, and individuals of lower socioeconomic position had a higher prevalence of depressive disorder that persisted in all waves. Analyses using the ICD-10 or DSM-IV definitions of depressive disorder showed lower prevalence but similar trends over time.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the general population trend towards an increase in depressive disorder also applies to the working population in Denmark.